In general, applicants must present a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (B) or its equivalent in their last two undergraduate years and in their major field. Applicants may be denied admission if their previous scholastic record indicates little likelihood of success in graduate-level work. Program faculty review each applicant file individually.

Students must indicate all academic institutions they have previously attended on their applications. Failure to disclose any previous college attendance or any other misrepresentation of the record may result in disciplinary action, including revocation of admission to the University.

Ordinarily, the minimum undergraduate prerequisite is 12 semester hours of upper division course work (300-level courses or higher) in the major field to which the student is applying, or in cognate areas. Certain departments require more extensive or more specific preparation (consult individual graduate unit requirements).

Although some academic units at the University of New Mexico will admit students with a bachelor’s degree directly into a doctoral program, most admit only students who have earned a master’s degree within the same or a different program at the University of New Mexico or at another accredited institution. Applicants must present satisfactory evidence of adequate preparation in their major field. (Consult individual departmental sections of this catalog for specific requirements.)

Students who are admitted directly to a doctoral program without obtaining a master’s degree may elect to earn a master’s degree in the same field while in doctoral status. Such students must meet all requirements for the master’s degree as stipulated in this catalog, as well as specific departmental requirements. Students need not file a “Change of Degree Level” form to receive the master’s degree.

Master’s students at the University of New Mexico who wish to apply for admission to the doctoral program in the same field may do so by means of the "Change of Degree Level" form, available on the OGS Web site. Completion of a master’s degree does not guarantee admission to a doctoral program in the same or any other graduate unit. (See Change of Degree section later in this catalog.)

In rare cases, the University may admit to graduate study a person who does not hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Such an individual must demonstrate substantial educational and professional experience over a period of many years and have achieved a level of accomplishment clearly superior to that normally represented by a bachelor’s degree. An individual who is interested in being considered for special admission should first contact the graduate unit in which study is desired. After a thorough review of the applicant’s credentials, if the unit is willing to recommend special admission to graduate study, after gaining the approval of the Department and the College Graduate Committee, the graduate must formally petition the Dean of Graduate Studies supporting such an admission. The petition must include a complete application and documentation that shows:

a.   the relevance and extent of the applicant’s professional experience;

b.   that the demonstrated level of the applicant’s effectiveness in the broad area in which he/she wishes to study is superior to that of the average student accepted for graduate work in that department;

c.   the department’s belief that the applicant’s objectives in seeking the advanced degree are realistic and reasonable; and

d.   its opinion that the probability of success in the graduate program is very high.

If the Dean of Graduate Studies judges the petition is justified, the Dean will notify the graduate unit that it may proceed with an offer of admission. A student admitted under this policy will be classified as a regular graduate student, with the same rights and responsibilities as any other student in regular graduate status.

Individuals who have previously attended the University of New Mexico in graduate status, but have not been enrolled for three or more semesters (including summer sessions) and wish to resume a graduate degree program may apply for readmission. If a student was in probationary status at the end of his/her previous enrollment he/she will return in probationary status unless the cause of probation was resolved.

Readmitted students must adhere to policies in the catalog in effect at the time of readmission to graduate status or a subsequent version.

Individuals applying for readmission must submit a readmission packet (Application Form, Residency Form and fee) directly to the Office of Admissions prior to the graduate unit’s published deadline.

Individuals applying for readmission are responsible for ascertaining the specific additional application materials the graduate unit requires (such as GRE scores, portfolios or writing samples).

The Graduate Studies office holds student files for five years after the semester of last attendance. If transcripts are no longer available in the OGS, or if the applicant has attended another institution since his/her last attendance at the University of New Mexico, he/she must submit new, official transcripts.

On occasion, a graduate unit may impose an admissions moratorium for any or all of its degree programs. In those instances when a moratorium has been placed on a program after students have submitted applications, application fees will be refunded. The University will not be responsible for reimbursement of any other expenses (such as fees for transcripts or postage) incurred by applicants.